Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Rauner tied to Greitens, Pritzker tied to Blagojevich

Posted in:

Illinois

* DGA…

Governor Bruce Rauner reiterated yesterday that an ad, featuring embattled Governor Eric Greitens, was only taken down because of scheduling. Rauner said the campaign decision to take down the ad was “not related” to news that Greitens has been accused of blackmailing his mistress, or that Greitens is facing calls for his own resignation. Nope, Rauner was not making any grand statement with his decision.

Rauner’s put at least $1.3 million behind an ad featuring Governor Greitens, which has been running on and off since Rauner announced for reelection. When news broke last week that Greitens was accused of blackmailing his mistress, Rauner did not renounce Greitens’ endorsement and his campaign told reporters the ad was simply being shifted out of rotation. Rauner’s campaign even left up a Facebook post with the ad.

Yesterday, Rauner was asked if the ad came down because of accusations against Greitens – Rauner said that was not the case (watch here):

“Question: In regard to your past political support for Governor Greitens, maybe you can tell us why the ‘Thank You, Mike Madigan’ ad was pulled and do you think Governor Greitens should resign?

“Rauner: Ah, well, the charges that have been made, the allegations in that situation are very serious. There is an investigation underway. And I do hope they get to the truth in that situation very quickly.

“Question: So, you have not made any decision on whether he should resign?

“Rauner: I think the investigation is underway.

“Question: Why was the ad pulled, the ‘Thank You, Mike Madigan’ ad?

“Rauner: Ah, I don’t think those were related. I think there’s a plan in place that’s been going on for a while about messaging and that’s a separate issue.”

Back at home, members of his own party are calling for Greitens to step aside. But not Bruce Rauner, who has not ruled out running the ad again.

“Bruce Rauner is sticking by his political allies rather than doing what is right,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “It’s time for Rauner to cut ties with Governor Greitens, stop playing his video on social media, and promise never to run the ad again. Rauner has failed to show any moral leadership this week and giving political support to an accused blackmailer is sending the wrong message.”

* Rauner campaign…

Last week, in response to a new Citizens for Rauner TV ad, JB Pritzker claimed that “nobody knew” the FBI was investigating now-imprisoned ex-governor Rod Blagojevich at the time he was caught on FBI wiretap negotiating with him for his own appointment to statewide political office.

But his own words on FBI tapes about cutting an insider deal with Blagojevich, combined with prominent media reports publicly showing how the investigation into corruption in the Blagojevich administration unfolded, clearly show that JB Pritzker wasn’t telling the truth.

So why did JB Pritzker lie to cover up his ties to Blagojevich? Because telling the truth would reveal decades of corrupt, insider dealing in the midst of his campaign for governor. The two were cozy political allies, engaged in endless favor-trading – until one of them ended up behind bars.

Here’s a timeline to illustrate their unseemly connection:

1996 – JB Pritzker makes his first appearance as a money man for Blagojevich’s political career, saying ‘I’m JB Pritzker; I help with fund-raising’ (Jorge Oclander, “In Mell’s World, It’s Politics as Usual,” Chicago Sun-Times, 3/23/1996)

1996 – JB Pritzker and his wife give $3,000 to Blagojevich’s congressional campaign

1998 – After JB Pritzker finished 3rd out of five candidates in the Democratic primary for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional district, Blagojevich gushes praise on the failed candidate, saying, “Remember, Abraham Lincoln didn’t win his first election and Mario Cuomo lost several races before he got elected. For JB, this is only the beginning”

2002 – JB Pritzker gives $30,000 to Blagojevich’s first gubernatorial run (State Board of Elections)

2003 – As a reward for being a member of his infamous $25,000 Club, Blagojevich appoints JB Pritzker as chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission

2006 – Pritzker gives $100,000 to Blagojevich’s reelection campaign (State Board of Elections)

2006 – As a reward for being his 5th biggest donor, Blagojevich authorizes $1 million state grant to Holocaust museum project for which JB Pritzker served as finance chief

2008 – FBI wiretaps reveal Pritzker encouraged Blagojevich to engage in a quid pro quo with Mike Madigan for President-elect Obama’s soon-to-be vacated U.S. Senate seat, while lobbying for a top state job for himself

2018 – JB Pritzker claims no one knew Blagojevich was being investigated

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 11:22 am

Comments

TV stations can provide paperwork on how long ad was running and jamming JB ad in. Is GovJunk gonna ask for his talent fee back from GovTrim?

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 11:37 am
–2006 – As a reward for being his 5th biggest donor, Blagojevich authorizes $1 million state grant to Holocaust museum project for which JB Pritzker served as finance chief–

Free advice to the Rauner campaign: Leave that one alone.

Coco the chimp could write a negative spot on your implying that the Holocaust museum is caught up in quid pro quo corruption.

I would think that would be common sense — unless you have a specific voting segment you’re appealing to by trying to dirty up the Holocaust museum.

A million dollar donation means oogats to a multi-billionaire like Pritzker. He could cover that with pocket change. And Blago would have done it on his own for his own selfish political purposes.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 11:40 am
So in Raunerland Pritzker’s $155,000 in contributions equals completely beholden to Rod Blagojevich / in on everything. While $200,000 to Mayor Daley by Rauner equals I barely knew the guy. Got it.

Comment by Concerned Dem Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 11:48 am
I’ve watched the Blago/Pritzker commercial several times now. What does Pritzker say in it that is so bad? I hear him say “uh huh” “yeah”. What are you supposed to say to a loon making those comments to you?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 11:49 am
“I’ve watched the Blago/Pritzker commercial several times now. What does Pritzker say in it that is so bad? I hear him say “uh huh” “yeah”. What are you supposed to say to a loon making those comments to you?”

Why do you even get into a conversation about a tit for a tat relationship with someone like Blago who all knew was in The Fed’s bullseye.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:00 pm
Ok. Got it. Both of these guys are tainted.

Comment by Generic Drone Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:04 pm
JB might win. Rauner might win. It’s just too early. Tony Rezko was indicted in October 2006 and Rod was still re elected the following month. It is fair to suggest that by 2008 with all that was swirling around Rod JB might have used better judgment than getting on the phone with him and even suggesting a trade for anything. But even with that JB can still win. It’s just too early.

Comment by Eire17 Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:07 pm
Yup. Birds of a feather. Do four make a flock?

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:30 pm
Man; that is a lot of rocks being thrown by a guy living in a glass penthouse. Governor Rauner; I would be more impressed if you had any kind of a quality record to run on. Just saying “the other guy is worse” is a pretty lame reelection campaign.

Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:36 pm
Anonymous at 12:00pm was me.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:38 pm
Anonymous - we don’t know who initiated the call or how the conversation started. If the Governor of Illinois calls, most people are going to take that call and speak with him.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:38 pm
At least Blago was “in charge” and he paid for it. I would go as far as to say RRB was a better governor than Rauner. That hurts, but it is true.

Comment by Just One More Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:53 pm
Good lord. Why is it so hard for Bruce to say, “Greitens has disgraced himself, and his office. I wish his family well, but I don’t want his support “.

The end. Move on.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:17 pm
For the same reason the guy lied to a bishop: it’s in his nature.

Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:20 pm
Endorsement from a blackmailer, playing illegal FBI tapes with impunity

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jan 18, 18 @ 5:38 am
Just One …Blago was awful, his budgets put Illinois in a financial tailspin. Remember the $10 billion arrbitrage scheme ? His one saving grace was he put some state savy people in many positions so government went on (BR has not) Rod was disinterested in running the state, just interested in mining fo rmoney and the next stop. BR crisis is that he should have kept the Quinn tax in place (which might not have happened in the GA) and grandstand on other budget policy issues. He chose poorly. Whats sad is Illinois deserves better. The past three guvs have been really bad for Illinois.

As for JB he can’t hide from what he said. FBI tapes and all the donations paint him as an insider with pretty good view from above.

Comment by the Cardinal Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 7:57 am